The Cape Society
June
- Wed 26 Jul 2023
- Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage
- Knights and Friends of the Cape, Derran and Helene are visiting Edinburgh in July. Derran has arranged an interesting manor to visit the new 'Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage' which is now situated at the MacDonald Road Fire Station. (Free entry).
- Meet outside Fire station at 15:00. Refreshments shall be taken after the tour 🍻
- Report
-
11 Knights and Ladies were on fire at the
Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage
where they were extinguished on a guided tour. Many thanks to the
former firefighter (Bob?, colleague of Dave Farries QFSM) who gave everyone a detailed insight in to the history
of all things fire-related. (Unfortunately, we didn't catch his name
but he's pictured in one of the interactive exhibits in a white shirt.)
Fire heritage insights included sharing stories on the Pirrie Street
fire and the fire station in Junction Place which once backed on to number 12: Pirrie Street was childhood home of a few Knights.
One of the old engines being exhibited, it turned out, used to be stationed at Junction Place.
There was significant chat on James Braidwood, credited with birth of some of the earliest
ideas and methods leading to the modern day fire service.
No one but this report's author was interested in the Cape-Connection that Braidwood
died a stone's throw from London Bridge which was designed by the Cape's own Sir Owlet/Hatchet (John Rennie)
or that this report's author had visited London Bridge, now located in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
Having extinguished everyone's thirst for all things hot, a round of appreciation was given to our tour guide, a few donations made and
the majority of Knights and Ladies then took advantage of the very recently opened leg of the Edinburgh
tram 'network' (actually only one line) to travel
down to Malones, Leith's new Irish bar in Constitution Street, for conviviality. The chips were excellent: thanks Martin.
The Bowlers Rest later benefitted from a few Knights' purses and some atrocious pool skills were
put on display. Obviously, Knights had a lot of exposure to heat ealier in the day and needed even more liquid
at the Malt 'n' Hops to finally quench greedy flames. All-in-all, apart from the lack of a pole to slide
down, another excellent Cape Manor.
Thanks to everyone who answered the call for buckets when the fire alarm was raised
and the joint effort of Derran and Steve in suggesting the Manor.
The museum is open to the public most days and well worth a visit.
Some video...
Guide Bob
Skoosh
Lager Fight (video available on request)
